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Biking & Hiking in the National Parks of Utah & Arizona

Hovering hoodoos. Walter's Wiggles. Spindly spires. Kids in giggles. Seems right out of Dr. Seuss. But this fantastical world exists. Right here. In the Southwest. You'll rub your eyes. Once. Maybe twice. To believe the whimsical rock formations. The spectacular views. The red and orange and yellow hues. And in this wonderland of slot canyons, pinnacles and bristlecone pine, your family gets to hike, bike, mule ride and rock climb. Watching the sun set at the surreal gorge's rim, you might just hear Dr. Seuss say: "Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one."

We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
Read the Straight Talk

Straight Talk

We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

Accommodations & Service Standards

The Lodge at Bryce Canyon is a fairly rustic national park lodge that reflects its natural surroundings. While this historic hotel offers simpler accommodations than the typical Backroads property, it's been selected because of its access to the best riding and hiking in the region. Please note that the guest rooms are basic and are not equipped with televisions or air-conditioning (nights are usually cool due to the high elevation).

Generally speaking, service in the national parks can seem laid-back when compared with the high standards of service found on other Backroads trips.

Interpretive Guides & Hiking Without Your Leaders

Due to permit restrictions for all outfitters, your Backroads leaders can hike with you in Bryce Canyon National Park, but can't act as interpretive guides. They will be unable to hike with you in Grand Canyon National Park and are limited to guiding on certain trails in Zion National Park. Throughout the trip, your leaders will give an orientation to the area's flora, fauna and terrain before your hikes.

Permit restrictions also dictate that your leaders won't be able to offer route support on the optional bike ride at the Grand Canyon.

We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

Accommodations & Service Standards

The Lodge at Bryce Canyon is a fairly rustic national park lodge that reflects its natural surroundings. While this historic hotel offers simpler accommodations than the typical Backroads property, it's been selected because of its access to the best riding and hiking in the region. Please note that the guest rooms are basic and are not equipped with televisions or air-conditioning (nights are usually cool due to the high elevation).

Generally speaking, service in the national parks can seem laid-back when compared with the high standards of service found on other Backroads trips.

Interpretive Guides & Hiking Without Your Leaders

Due to permit restrictions for all outfitters, your Backroads leaders can hike with you in Bryce Canyon National Park, but can't act as interpretive guides. They will be unable to hike with you in Grand Canyon National Park and are limited to guiding on certain trails in Zion National Park. Throughout the trip, your leaders will give an orientation to the area's flora, fauna and terrain before your hikes.

Permit restrictions also dictate that your leaders won't be able to offer route support on the optional bike ride at the Grand Canyon.

Itinerary

Days
1-2Bryce Canyon's maze of spires, windows and pinnacles Hike through a slot canyon whose walls are only ten feet apart in places Discover a labyrinth of hoodoos and vivid rock formations sprouting from the floor of Queen's Garden Grown-ups spin to Red Canyon, where youngsters join them for a breezy ride What was that? Desert critters, like lizards and chipmunks, scamper across your path Journey through an arid landscape with the spectacular Kaibab Plateau rising ahead Marvel at the awe-inspiring vastness of the Grand Canyon, one of the world's seven natural wonders.

Day
3Kids make like early pioneers, exploring the Grand Canyon's rim by mule Adults enjoy an up-close look at the beauty of the Grand Canyon during a hike Join your leaders for a drive out to Point Imperial for unrivaled views of The Painted Desert and the Marble Canyon Can't get enough of this expansive natural wonder? Follow Widforss Trail for an astounding view of the majestic San Francisco Peaks towering above the South Rim Youngsters delight in a special dinner with the Kid Coordinator while adults sit down to a satisfying meal at the Grand Canyon Lodge.

Day
4Splash your way through the Narrows in Zion, one of the most renowned slot canyons in the world, with small waterfalls and hanging gardens cascading down the rock faces Admire expansive high-desert views of the Grand Staircase and watch as the cliffs change to vibrant shades of pink and red.

Cliffrose Lodge & Gardens

Guest Reviews About This Trip

This was the best trip ever - it combined the right amount of adult time with family time, exercise and leisure. Given the five-year difference in our kids' ages, combined with our younger son's endless energy, we wanted to find the family vacation that satisfied all our needs and goals, and Backroads fulfilled this in every way. Additionally, our leaders' willingness to be flexible with regard to our itinerary made the trip even more tailored to us. A perfect blend of activity, downtime, family, new friends. We are new fans!

Janet Myers- Menlo Park, CA

What an amazing family experience!! We could never have accomplished near this amount of activities, left to our own devices. Nor have challenged ourselves as much. We enjoyed the entire experience, and hold its memory dear!

Cathy Kaempfer- Saint Augustine, FL

Backroads is the way to travel - it was great having all the logistics taken care of. We could just relax and enjoy the trip. The sights were incredible and the activities fun. My children, ages 6-17, all had a wonderful vacation. I cannot say enough nice things about our leaders - they were awesome. I would recommend this trip to anyone who likes to be active and appreciates nature.

This Trip Is Rated Level 1-3

Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of
interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one
day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat
from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each
day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.

Daily Route Options

Day

Activity

EASYGOING

ACTIVE

AVID

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Level 5

miles

feet gain

miles

feet gain

miles

feet gain

miles

feet gain

miles

feet gain

1

Walking/Hiking

3

500

2

Biking

9*

100

29

1000

Biking

16

100

Walking/Hiking

2

100

3

Walking/Hiking

2

500

7

1500

10

500

Walking/Hiking

5

100

Other

Point Imperial Scenic Drive (2 Hours Round-Trip)

Kids

Mule Ride (1 Hour)

4

Walking/Hiking

2

0

5

200

5

Walking/Hiking

3

400

4

1000

5

1500

8

2200

Walking/Hiking

4

1000

Kids

Canyoneering (6 Hours)

6

Biking

19

500

note:

On this Family Trip, our routes follow gentle terrain with no significant gain or loss in elevation. Liberal van shuttling is incorporated into the itinerary to facilitate our activities and mileage is kept moderate to enable you to spend more time exploring on your own.

* Includes a shuttle

Private Trips Options & Pricing

Gather your favorite people to share a Backroads adventure on a ready-to-book Private Trip - featuring all the legendary Backroads hallmarks from expert leaders to unforgettable activities.

You can pick from a large selection of dates for your group of 8 or more. Call us for date availability.

If your party has fewer than 8 guests, or if your preferred date is not available, we'll create a departure just for you.